Bob Day: The man

BOB DAY, THE MAN:

* Born in Manchester in England in 1952, moved to Australia in 1963 and grew up in Gilles Plains in Adelaide's north.

* First qualified and worked as a science technician but joined the building industry six years later as a plumber's assistant.

* Built his first home in 1979 and founded Homestead Homes in SA in 1983.

* Married Bronte in 1981. The couple have three children.

* In 1996 founded Home Australia, which now owns Homestead Homes in SA, Collier Homes in WA, Newstart Homes in Queensland, Ashford Homes in Victoria and Huxley Homes in NSW.

* Was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2003 for service to the housing industry and social welfare.

* Made his first foray into politics in 2007 with a failed bid to win the federal Adelaide seat of Makin for the Liberals, having been a long-time Liberal Party member (1987-2008).

* Resigned from the Liberal Party in 2008 after a failed pre-selection bid for the federal seat of Mayo and joined Family First.

* Ran for a SA senate seat 2010 without success, but was elected at his second attempt in 2013 and was re-elected in 2016.